Restriction Of Movement By Buhari Is Illegal — Ebun-olu Adegboruwa

Restriction Of Movement By Buhari Is Illegal — Ebun-olu Adegboruwa

A senior advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, has described as illegal Buhari’s imposition of a curfew in Ogun, Abuja and Lagos

President Buhari had on Sunday announced the restriction of movements in the three states to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Buhari said; “Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 pm on Monday, 30th March 2020.

“This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.”

According to Adegboruwa, it was illegal for the president to do so without declaring a state of emergency with the approval of the National Assembly.

“The President has no powers to restrict the movement of persons without recourse to the National Assembly.

“The President has not invoked his powers under the Constitution to declare any state of emergency, which must be approved by the National Assembly.

“We are running a constitutional democracy and it is illegal for the President to take over the affairs of any State of the Federation without the express consent of the people of that State through their elected representatives.” he said

He further noted that only state governments had the right to make such declarations through the House of Assembly and urged Bihari to do the right thing.

“It is only the Governor of the State through the House of Assembly of the State that can make any declaration concerning the people of that State. Little wonder that the President could not cite any law that he relied upon for his declaration.

” If we allow this to stay, then tomorrow the President may just impose total restriction on all States of the Federation for whatever reason.”

“I humbly urge the President to reverse the restrictions and work with the States concerned in accordance with the laws of our land.” added Adegboruwa